Battle Ground Community Advantage Magazine April 2023

BATTLE GROUND

COMMUNITY ADVANTAGE

JEVON DOMENCH & NICK JOLMA

HELPING FAMILIES TO MAKE THE DREAM OF SUSTAINABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP POSSIBLE.

Beverly Jones

Bill Bixby

A Taste of Mexico Serving

you in 4 locations

Almost without exception, restaurants which specialize in cuisine from specific geographical areas typically serve dishes which are “authentic” to a point, yet still adapted to a more American palette. Los Pepe’s is no exception. According to Emilio, their food is a mixture of traditional and modern, with a focus on the more traditional. They have to appeal to a wider audience, and it’s just a fact that in America certain dishes are expected. That said, the vast majority of their recipes are authentic Avelar family recipes, and their ingredients are sourced directly from Mexico whenever possible.

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer

Photos by Shonda Feather

Looking for delicious authentic Mexican cuisine in the area? Look no further than Los Pepe’s!

With 4 locations in Vancouver, Woodland, Longview, and Battle Ground, Los Pepe’s has been serving superior food with superior service for 20 years! Brothers Tadeo and José Avelar opened the first location in Woodland back in 2002, and still own and run the business to this day. With success has come growth and expansion, but they are still a local, family-owned business, with the highest of standards and strong ties to their communities.

I was fortunate enough to speak with Emilio Avelar, manager of the Battle Ground location, and a second generation Avelar to work in the restaurants. He learned the ropes while helping out and working there during high school, but now that he has a degree (with much of his course work centered around operations), he has been able to provide expertise in Operations and Management. He loves working with the family, and he’s particularly proud of the fact that their restaurants serve consistently excellent food in a comfortable, family-friendly atmosphere.

Favorite dishes you simply must try include: their Molcajete (their fantastic combination of chicken breast, asada and shrimp, cactus, jalapeños and grilled onions, served over choriqueso in a sizzling volcano stone), and their Birria Tacos (signature family dish from Jalisco which combines tender slow-roasted beef cooked in its own broth and special spices along with taco fixings). Their Milanesa de Pollo is an exciting new menu item (fried breaded chicken breast filets served with rice, salad, and thickcut, house-made potato chips). And another new item you must try is their Plato Azteca (strips of ribeye steak with whole pinto beans and sliced cactus leaves). There is almost no end of unique, new, and exciting dishes offered up alongside your traditional standards!

Of course, no Mexican dish is complete without a great drink! At Los Pepe’s, they pride themselves on the fact that they use only premium tequilas and local favorites like their Pepe’s Michelada (beer, lime juice, and an assortment of sauces, spices, tomato juice, and chili peppers), their 24k Margarita (premium margarita served with edible gold!), and their Chamoyada (mango, lime juice, tequila (optional), spices), which all hit the spot! The bartenders have just as much fun with the drinks here as the cooks do with the food. It’s authentic, unique, delicious, and fun for the whole family!

When you walk into Los Pepe’s, you receive a real taste of Mexico! From the food, to the friendly service, to the decor (which also comes mainly from Mexico), this is as close as you will get without a plane ticket! Support local businesses! Family-owned and -operated, and just celebrating their 21st anniversary, Los Pepe’s is the best Mexican Restaurant in town! Come down and see for yourself!

Los Pepes is located at 1207 SE Rasmussen Blvd in Battle Ground (or try any of their other 3 locations around southwest Washington). Check their website at lospepesmexrestaurant.com.

Almost without exception, restaurants which specialize in cuisine from specific geographical areas typically serve dishes which are “authentic” to a point, yet still adapted to a more American palette. Los Pepe’s is no exception. According to Emilio, their food is a mixture of traditional and modern, with a focus on the more traditional. They have to appeal to a wider audience, and it’s just a fact that in America certain dishes are expected. That said, the vast majority of their recipes are authentic Avelar family recipes, and their ingredients are sourced directly from Mexico whenever possible.

and shrimp, cactus, jalapeños and grilled

food, to the friendly service, to the decor (which also comes mainly from Mexico), this is as close as you will get without a plane ticket! Support local businesses! Family-owned and -operated, and just celebrating their 21st anniversary, Los Pepe’s is the best Mexican Restaurant in town! Come down and see for yourself!

Los Pepes is located at 1207 SE Rasmussen Blvd in Battle Ground (or try any of their other 3 locations around southwest Washington). Check their website at lospepesmexrestaurant.com.

There is almost no end of unique, new, and exciting dishes offered up alongside your traditional standards!

Of course, no Mexican dish is complete without a great drink! At Los Pepe’s, they pride themselves on the fact that they use only

If you suffer from anxiety, you are not alone!

By Christina Townsend, Owner

Anxiety disorders are conditions that cause physical responses in the body such as tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, muscle tension, sweating, agitation, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbance. It’s estimated 264 million people worldwide have some kind of anxiety disorder, with approximately 40 million of them in the United States.

As discussed previously, CBD works with our endocannabinoid system (ECS) which has a large network of cannabinoid receptor sites throughout the brain, nervous system, immune system, and organs. Our ECS is constantly working to make sure our systems remain in balance, including regulating fear and anxiety.

In one study created around public speaking, the group was tested on anxiety, impairment, discomfort, and speech performance. The placebo group showed higher levels of anxiety, alertness, impairment, and discomfort whereas the group pretreated with CBD

showed a reduction in all tested areas. This means that CBD may be a promising option you can integrate into your wellness lifestyle to reduce your own anxiety and daily stress.

CBD can be taken through tinctures, capsules, gummies, or smoked. Smokeables and tinctures are the quickest to take effect making them great options for immediate intense stress or panic. Softgels take longer to take effect but are longer acting. Some may find the best results with a combination of both fast and long-acting cannabinoid products. If CBD is not an option, beta-caryophyllene (BCP) may be right for you. BCP is a terpene from chamomile and all spice with no relation to the hemp plant.

We are always available to answer any questions you may have and to help you find the product that is right for you.

Townsend

Everybody Fights. Nobody Quits.

hosted members of the U.S. parafencing team competing for qualification in the 2024 Paris Paralympics. COVID presented “a blessing in disguise,” Justin says. Kids with high anxiety, ADD/ADHD, or those prone to overstimulation were able to ease into fencing as instruction was limited to one-on-one classes.

WE TRAIN TEACHERS TO BE FENCING COACHES

Truly impressive, this nonprofit fencing club’s mission is to support fencing on every level and at every age. Their most-senior beginner was 93 years-old and the youngest was age 4. On opening day, a mom came in with her 4-year-old named Orion. Believing it would be “bad luck” to turn away a kid with the same name as the club simply because they were 4, Orion Fencing signed them up. Likewise, serendipity has played a part for many Olympic and World-class fencers. Interests developed from attending fencing club birthday parties, viewing fencing scenes in movies or print media, and rarely by direct influence of any family member who fenced.

By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer

Orion Fencing, a nonprofit club, believes that fencing is for everyone. Determined to teach any individual who wants to fence, Orion is committed to affordable pricing and invites all new students to attend their first class free of charge. Gear is also available on loan at no extra cost. Instruction focuses on the three fencing weapons of modern times: foil, epee, and sabre. Classes are structured in groups of up to 16 students or private one-on-one lessons. Whether a beginner or skilled and experienced, Orion’s team of expert fencing coaches are dedicated to helping you achieve your next-level goals!

Why take up fencing? It’s cool, it’s fun, it’s a great arena for growth. Fencing helps hone skills necessary for a successful life. In a sport where only one person comes out a “winner” by Orion’s standards, all progress is a “win.” Head coach and founder, Justin Meehan relates, “It’s not about 1st Prize, it’s about getting better.” The club has plenty of openings for new students and invites all para-athletes as well. Orion recently

Orion Fencing is “dedicated to creating fencing at the base level for everybody in Southwest Washington who wants to fence.” In addition, Orion’s ultimate wish is to see varsity fencing programs in all 16 competing high schools of the Greater St. Helens Sports League. “We train teachers to be fencing coaches,” and “we will do everything in our power to help you start a club and help it grow,” promises Orion Fencing. Teacher’s students will also receive free instruction!

Orion Fencing Club is located at 13504 NE 84th St., Suite 109 in Vancouver. For additional information visit orionfencing.org, call (360)254-5999 or email info@orionfencing.org.

Fencing is for Everyone.

Battle Ground’s No.1 Cheerleader

Battle Ground RN dedicated to care for her community

By Olive Gallagher, Contributing Writer

Among the “unsung” heroes who serve us every day, there are those who devote their time caring for others. This special group, that provides attention and support during some of the scariest, most painful days and nights of our lives, possesses a magical mix of talent, determination, and patience, along with the uncanny ability to provide tender, quiet comfort.

Bev Jones, who today labels herself as a “self-delegated cheerleader of Battle Ground,” is one of those heroes and readily acknowledges she knew she wanted to be a nurse from an early age. Having retired a year ago, her 43-year career caring for others was inspired by the examples set by her parents, who “walked their talk” as they contributed their time and talent to community service.

Born in Tillamook, Oregon, and raised in nearby Beaver, Bev was the youngest of six with the eldest brother being 21 years older. One sister, who had become a nurse, was an additional inspiration for her, and so, after graduating from OHSU School of Nursing, she had a clear vision of working in a critical care unit but was initially assigned to general care.

However, when the opportunity came along to join the Oregon Burn Center, she grabbed the opportunity. Ever prepared for the chance to learn and grow, Bev remained in that unit for five years and discovered she had acquired a new “family” unit with her colleagues. Those intense hours of working together under such critical conditions forged bonds that remain to this day.

Bev then worked in Hawaii for a year followed by traveling around Europe for three months. Upon returning to the states, she joined the Trauma Nursing team at Emanuel Hospital where she worked for many years, including being a part of the Mobile Surgical Transport Team. She also spent 10 years as an Organ Donation Coordinator for the State of Oregon Pacific NW Transplant Bank.

Married for 18 years to Ken Steinke, a food safety inspector who had two children when they met, the couple now lives next door to Ken’s son, Patrick, while Ken’s daughter, Heather, lives with them. In her rare, free moments, Bev loves to travel around in their little British sports car.

Bev has always seen her work as being part of and giving back to the community and helping it succeed. Her current involvements are many, including being a member of the Battle Ground Lions Club. Her personal motto is “NO Kid Hungry” and that commitment drives her ongoing support of the North County Community Food Bank.

She tirelessly volunteers for the School District’s Family Resource Program, especially with the Clothes Closet. You’ll never know where she will show up volunteering: for the free clinic at Battle Ground HealthCare, at the city park, or the senior luncheons, but one thing remains constant: Her efforts in the community bring her unlimited joy.

ABOVE: Bev Jones helps plant the formal rose garden in Battle Ground Central Park.

LEFT: Bev donates blood during a local blood drive.

FAR LEFT: Bev Jones and her husband, Ken Steinke.

Ron Nevison Legendary

Music Producer and Sound Engineer

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer

With a career spanning nearly 5 decades, he is one of the most distinguished record producers/audio engineers to ever spin the knobs. And he lives right here in the Pacific Northwest!

From a young age, Ron Nevison had an innate fascination with both music and electronics, a fortuitous combination he would soon learn. He was the kid in school who had his nose perpetually buried between the pages of Popular Electronics and was constantly frequenting Radio Shack for parts to build radios. While he initially sang in the school choir and a variety of doo-wop bands, hoping to break into the business as a performer, his first gig was with Festival Group Sound, traveling with bands on tour, driving truck, hauling gear, etc. Recognized for his strong work ethic, organizational skills, and extensive knowledge of electronics, however, he was quickly moved over to the arena of sound mixing where his strengths could be better utilized.

Over the course of just a few years, Ron earned a reputation for being one of the prominent “sound men” in the business, making some of the biggest acts of the time (Jefferson Airplane, Traffic, and Derek and the Dominos) sound absolutely incredible live. That said, while he was in high demand, his ultimate goal was to work in the studio. An auspicious meeting

with Chris Blackwell, founding owner of Island Records, secured an opportunity for him, and a month later Ron was living in London. His first job as a sound engineer was working on The Who’s seminal double album, “Quadrophenia”. It was a massive undertaking: a year-long project that required extensive use of sound effects (which all had to be collected manually at the time) and a trial-by-fire learning experience for Ron. But it was one of the most memorable of his career. Ron stated that Pete Townsend was a brilliant and generous man, and a real mentor for the fledgling engineer.

Over the next 4 decades, Ron earned his place among the upper echelon of recording engineers and producers by working with some of music’s most popular acts while putting out some of their best-selling albums. Led Zeppelin, Bad Company, The Rolling Stones, Heart, Chicago, Meat Loaf, Ozzy Osbourne, KISS, Europe; the list goes on and on. Highlights of his career include many of the record industry’s highest distinctions, including being recognized by Billboard Magazine as one of their “Top-5 Producers of the Year” four separate times, garnering countless Grammynominated and winning hit singles and albums, and producing a host of Multi-Platinum and Gold-selling albums.

And he’s still at it! These days Ron can still be hired to produce and engineer albums through SoundBetter, the world’s leading music production marketplace. Interested in working with one of the all-time greats for your next musical project? Hop on SoundBetter.com and check out Ron’s profile. He’s local. He’s one of the coolest, most low-key, easy-going guys you’ll ever meet, and he has a track record that’s hard to beat!

Roger Daltrey, Keith Moon and & Ron Nevison Rampart Studios, 1973

Ron Nevison

KISS “Crazy Nights”, 1987

The Who “Quadrophenia”, 1973 UFO “Strangers in the Night”, 1979

Ozzy Osbourne “The Ultimate Sin”, 1986

BILL BIXBY The INCREDIBLE HULK & MORE

By David Grove, Contributing Writer

Although actor Bill Bixby certainly played many different types of characters throughout his nearly 32-year television acting career, the essential Bill Bixby television persona is that of an everyman who makes the fantastical seem plausible.

Bill’s career breakthrough in Hollywood came in 1962 when he landed a starring role in the science-fiction television sitcom “My Favorite Martian,” which aired on CBS between 1963 and 1966 over three seasons. In “My Favorite Martian,” Bill plays Tim O’Hara, an eager young newspaper reporter who, in the show’s pilot episode, discovers a crashed spaceship and its Martian pilot, a Mars-based anthropologist played by Ray Walston. “Growing up in the 1960s, I was a big fan of “My Favorite Martian,” and a lot of the show’s appeal, for me, had to do with the impact that Bill made as an everyman,” says magician David Copperfield. “We dreamed, and experienced a sense of awe and wonder, through Bill’s eyes. As an actor, Bill was the man who experienced, and observed, crazy and impossible things. He was relatable. Bill played us.”

In the NBC television series “The Magician,” which aired between 1973 and 1974 for one season, Bill plays Anthony (Tony) Blake, a famous jet-setting stage illusionist who uses his performing skills to solve crimes. Bill himself

was a competent amateur magician. “I think that Bill was underrated as a performer, both as an actor and as a magician,” says Copperfield, who appeared alongside Bill in Copperfield’s 1979 CBS television special, “The Magic of David Copperfield II,” which Bill hosted. “I think that Bill was better than most, if not all, actors who performed magic on television. Bill was cool. He very much acted like, and certainly looked like, a real magician. Again, I found Bill to be so believable and relatable. With “The Magician,” I believed that Bill, playing a magician, knew what he was doing.”

Of course Bill is best remembered–largely due to the proliferation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe–for the Marvel Comics-based television series “The Incredible Hulk,” which aired on CBS between 1977 and 1982 over five seasons.

In “The Incredible Hulk,” Bill plays Dr. David Banner, a brilliant scientist who becomes a fugitive after a cell-altering process causes him to transform into the show’s titular monstrous green being, played by Lou Ferrigno, whenever Banner experiences great anger or stress. “[Bill] was my first, and only, choice for David Banner,” said Kenneth Johnson, the show’s creator and executive producer. “The network [was] very happy that I convinced Bill to come aboard. He was just terrific as David Banner.”

Following the end of the series, Bill and Ferrigno reprised their roles from the series in the 1988 NBC made-fortelevision film “The Incredible Hulk Returns,” followed by the films “The Trial of the Incredible Hulk” (1989) and “The Death of the Incredible Hulk,” both of which were directed by Bill. “Bill took me under his wing and taught me a lot,” said Ferrigno. “He was the first star [whom] I ever met. Bill was very genuine, quick, witty. I remember being so proud when Bill said to me: ‘Your character has connected with the public.’”

Born and raised in the bustling city of San Francisco, California, actor Bill Bixby, best remembered for the television series “The Incredible Hulk,” nonetheless discovered and fell in love with the outdoor lifestyle at an early age.

Throughout his childhood and teenage years, Bill spent many summers vacationing with his parents in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, specifically within the range’s Cisco Grove region, where Bill’s mother’s family owned an acreage

compound. Between 1955 and 1957, Bill spent much of his summers working as a bellhop and fledgling entertainment organizer at the Jackson Lake Lodge in remote northwestern Wyoming.

In July 1971, as a wedding present to his first wife, actress Brenda Benet, Bill purchased 110 acres of land alongside the beautiful McKenzie River in Lane County, Oregon. Bill’s ranch, which was known as the Hidden Valley Ranch, served as his primary vacation home and sanctuary throughout the rest of his career and life.

Whenever Bill visited Oregon, he stayed at the property’s main house, which could accommodate four people and offered a clear view of the surrounding McKenzie River Valley. Off to the west, there was Finn Creek, which ran behind the property’s barn and slaughter house.

To manage the property, the land and ranch, Bill selected his beloved maternal aunt, Ellen Hayes, who lived in Oregon until her death in 1997, and her husband, Ernest Hayes, who died in Oregon in 1986. “They [Ellen and Ernest] did a fair job of buying and registering cattle and maintaining the buildings and land,” said Ellen’s son, John Schubert, who died in June 2022. “Financially, the ranch wasn’t profitable, self-sufficient, nor would I say that it was a money pit. Bill loved the ranch. He needed someone to manage the ranch, and he was very happy with how [Ernest] and Mom took care of the property while Bill was in California.”

Diagnosed with cancer, Bill made his last visit to the beautiful Hidden Valley Ranch in Oregon, where he celebrated Christmas with family, including his Aunt Ellen and mother Jane. Bill died on November 21, 1993, in California, at the age of 59.

Lou Ferrigno & Bill Bixby in The Incredible Hulk November 4, 1977 –May 12, 1982

Bill Bixby & Ray Walston in My Favorite Martian September 29, 1963 – May 1, 1966

Bill Bixby as Tony Blake in The Magician March 17, 1973 – April 15, 1974

Southwest Washington Women in Business

Stefanie Draper

BAILEYMAY’S BOUTIQUE

513 E. Main St., Battle Ground, WA 541.490.1825

baileymaysboutique@gmail.com

www.baileymaysboutique.com

Starting a boutique has always been a dream of mine, and Baileymay’s is named after my 12-year-old corgi. Established in 2021, I take pride in selling the best quality clothing for women. Baileymay’s has comfy shoes, trendy boots, jeans for all occasions, top quality dresses, cozy sweaters, and affordable coats & jackets to top it off. I strive to bring a one-of-a-kind shopping experience to my customers instore & online by keeping inventory unique & constantly changing. I’m located inside of Finishing Touch in Battle Ground.

Lisa Houser

UTOPIA SALON

1503 NE 78th St. #2, Vancouver, WA 360.573.4806

info.utopiasalon@gmail.com

www.theutopiasalon.com

We are an award-winning full-service hair salon specializing in color correction and trends since 2004. We have been named a Top 200 salon in the country as well as one of the top in Clark County. We are also a proud member of Intercoiffure America Canada. Our Mission Statement is: Utopia salon is committed to providing all guests quality service and expert skills. Our goal is to exceed expectations by listening, advising, and educating clients in achieving and maintaining their image, while enhancing their inner beauty. We are committed to giving back to and improving our community.

Tina Vlachos

TINA VLACHOS AGENCY LLC, AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE

3069 NE 63rd Place, Vancouer 360.952.3773

tvlachos@amfam.com

www.tinavlachos.com

I have 17 years’ experience as an agency owner with American Family Insurance, where we specialize in Auto, Home, Commercial and Life insurance. My job is to educate my consumer on insurance policy, while protecting their dreams and greatest assets. I’m local and hands-on involved within the community, where I give back and invest my resources back into Clark County and surrounding areas, which is part of my many successes.

Shawna Risner

PRAIRIE TAVERN

14925 NE Caples Rd., Brush Prairie, WA 360.892.6313

theprairietavern@gmail.com

www.theprairietavern.com

Prairie Tavern is a woman-owned business with over 55,000 guests served in 2022. We have 18 taps, 17 big screens, a party room with a 16-foot projection screen, and can accommodate 100+ guests of all ages. PT is perfect for your mid-week family hangout, weekend date night or Sunday morning recuperation – try the breakfast pizza and $6 double Bloody Mary! High school reunions, baby showers, retirements, you name it...they’re all a hit here. Book our party room at no charge before May when high school reunion season starts filling our weekends up. We are a proud supporter of Rocksolid Teen Center and other causes in our local community.

Stacey L. Johnson

YOUR INSURANCE GAL AGENCY

113 NE 92nd Ave., Vancouver, WA 360.771.1155

stacey@yourinsurancegal.com

www.YourInsuranceGal.com

Your Insurance Gal Agency was born out of a desire to help retirees sort out the myriad Medicare options and to cut through the confusion. We help people enroll on the insurance plan that suits their needs and budget, whether just starting on Medicare or desiring to change their Medicare plan. Prior to and during the Annual Enrollment period in the fall, we meet with clients to assist in this process. We also offer complementary products (dental, vision, long-term care, life insurance). Supplemental insurance adds another layer of protection and helps with out-of-pocket costs (deductibles, copays). Finally, throughout the year, we assist with questions & problems as they arise either personally or connecting folks with the appropriate help. We are there for our clients!

“I NEVER DREAMT OF SUCCESS. I WORKED FOR IT.”

ESTÉE LAUDER

Donna Saladin COUNTRY GARDEN TABLES

13504 NE 84th St. Ste. #103–228, Vancouver, WA 360.977.0879

donna@cgtables.com

www.countrygardentables.com

My husband and I create our custom tables together, spending time on every detail. Our tables and matching mobile bars are available to rent for any special event. Living in the NW means enjoying some of the best outdoor wedding venues in the US. Our handcrafted farm-style country tables are perfect for indoor or outdoor weddings and events. We design our tables to be lightweight and easy to move into any venue. Nothing is more important than bringing family and friends together, telling stories, and creating lifetime memories. Our farm-style country tables are built for creating memories.

Colleen Lenard WADDELL & REED INC., FINANCIAL ADVISOR

7700 NE Greenwood Dr. Ste. #100, Vancouver, WA 360.619.5348

cnlenard42686@wradvisors.com

www.colleenlenard.wradvisors.com

As an independent financial advisor for nearly 30 years, my priority has been to provide comprehensive financial planning for you and your family. I want to learn more about your unique situation and identify your financial dreams and goals. Long-term relationships that encourage open and honest communication have been the cornerstone of my team’s foundation of success. We strive to provide excellent customer service and develop strong relationships with our clients. We use a wide range of products and services to help clients implement their plans. Meeting periodically with clients, we track progress and make adjustments to the plan as needed.

Dianna Perry FINISHING TOUCH

513 E. Main Street, Battle Ground, WA 360.342.8320

dianna.perry@icloud.com

Owning a home décor store had always been a dream of mine, and when I became an empty nester I had the time to pursue it! Finishing Touch opened in June of 2019. We offer a warm and friendly shopping atmosphere for home décor and gift items. I also am available for home staging and decorating. I am so happy to have my business in a community I love and am involved in. We love to help customers put the ‘finishing touch’ on their home décor or gift item.

Norma Duquette OCTOMAIDS

4609 NE Creston Ave., Vancouver, WA 360.619.8197

info@octomaids.com

www.octomaids.com

Octomaids was founded in 2006 with the simple idea of helping families who are struggling to find quality and affordable help. We are a family-owned and -operated business, and our mission is to provide reliable, trustworthy, and affordable service to our clients. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to live in a clean and healthy home, and we are committed to making that a reality for as many people as possible. Our vision is a world where every family has access to quality home-care services.

Kendra Laratta

INK ABILITY

717 W. Main Street Ste. #120, Battle Ground, WA 360.723.0151

kendra@inkabilitybg.com

www.inkabilitybg.com

We are a local, family-owned print shop conveniently located in the Battle Ground Plaza. Our store features stateof-the-art printing equipment and full-service bindery for all your printing needs. With the capability to print 42-inch x 90-inch, we are your one-stop location for everything from small note cards to posters and engineering drawings. No print job is too big or too small. We are here to help. I am grateful to have my business in a community we love and are passionate about serving.

Positivity Wins the Day

Jevon Domench, Senior Loan Officer

when he got to teach CE classes for the state of Washington. Over time, as the company was acquired by Stewart Title, he was asked to take on a more regional role. Through this new venture, Jevon decided to “jump out of the frying pan and into the fire” and move from title/escrow to lending. He then put his own team together in order to deliver the best quality service possible, that was always on time, and left his clients completely satisfied with no surprises.

When the downturn hit in 2008, Jevon recognized again it was time for change. He moved from a local bank to a brokerage in what became his biggest challenge so far. He came out the other side successfully, having learned one simple lesson: “Do what you can do, instead of obsessing about what you can’t.” Recognizing that all business is about relationships, he moved to Academy Mortgage. He began building his own team that went on to be recognized in the top 1% in the country. In 2018, he opened a new branch in Battleground for Academy and his team.

By Olive Gallagher, Contributing Writer

Photos By Hayley Starkey

In the world of real estate, ambition often drives the impulse to try this career. The early career choices made by Jevon Domench, Sales Manager/Senior Loan Officer at Academy Mortgage in Battle Ground, reveal a totally different motivation. Jevon grew up in a family of teachers and considered teaching a noble profession. Those examples and values of service and nurturing others have colored every aspect of his decisionmaking and career, and led him to his unique success today.

Born in California and raised in Washington, Jevon began his career as an elementary school teacher. While he loved teaching, he realized early “that having thirty kids to myself all day was not quite for me.” But the coaching aspect of the work intrigued Jevon. At that time, newly married and having moved to the Pacific Northwest, “the place that felt most like home,” he watched his wife take her first job with Chicago Title in the recording department. She settled in quickly and was incredibly happy. As calls kept coming in to recruit her from one company to another, and knowing she was content he went on the call instead with her blessing, and as they say, the rest is history.

Jevon joined Charter Title. In his new role as Assistant to the Sales Manager, he discovered a whole new world of business about which he was deeply passionate. In 2000, he became Sales Manager and found he loved it as much as teaching, particularly

Father of three and grandfather to one, Jevon devotes his time to the community by offering pro bono financial tutoring to local schools. He contributes his teaching skills to Hands for Little Fans, a nonprofit that helps children volunteer at soup kitchens, donate their toys, and more. Jevon also coaches local sports teams. Recently, at Christmas, he provided a photographer to take pictures of children meeting Santa. Jevon loves coaching others to be bold and find a solution to the problems life always provides. He added, “Positivity wins the day!” Now that’s a lesson we can all benefit from practicing.

For more information, contact Jevon at jevon@nwloanpro.com.

Help from Start to Finish

Nick Jolma, Real Estate Agent

came back home in 2002 and started selling real estate shortly thereafter. His interest in real estate as a profession came about because it offered certain options. As a young man in his 20s, he had time and energy to work beyond the standard 40 hour week.

“I wanted the opportunity to try to do more with the hours I had,” Nick relates. He went on to build a successful real estate career in Battle Ground, where he lives with his wife and four boys. Aside from work, his life is filled with “a lot of baseball practices—we’ll just put it that way,” Nick says with a laugh.

Deeply rooted in the community, Nick sponsors local high school athletics, Little League, Babe Ruth, and Cal Ripken baseball. He supports Battle Ground Senior Citizens, and nonprofits such as Options 360 and Rocksolid Community Teen Center. “I’m invested in Battle Ground,” Nick says. “It’s where I live. It’s where my office is. It’s where I work.” He’s proud to be giving back to the community and helping to feed the local economy through his efforts and resources.

By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer

Photos By Hayley Starkey

Nick Jolma, Licensed Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker United Brokers, is committed to “Helping You from Start to Finish.” Centered in the heart of Clark County, Coldwell Banker United Brokers is located near the site of the former Battle Ground Realty. Founded in 1906, Coldwell Banker is the “oldest and most established residential real estate franchise system in North America,” and has “changed the way people bought and sold homes across America.”

As an Independent Agent, Nick Jolma secures nearly all his business through word of mouth and referral, focusing specifically on real estate in and around Battle Ground. Miranda Hammers is a Licensed Administrative Assistant who aids Nick with all manner of details associated with the real estate transactions. Joel Blanton, Nick’s newest team member and a Licensed Real Estate Agent, is acclimating himself to the broker side of the industry, drawing upon his decades of experience in home-building and developing. Now that the current market climate is leveling out, Nick appreciates the time and opportunity to build stronger relationships with clients to better serve their needs. Having sold real estate for 20 years, Nick’s experience spans a variety of market cycles. He is confident in all types of markets and is trusted by clients and staff alike.

Nick grew up in Battle Ground, moved to Montana for a time,

Volunteers in Motion

Reliable transportation is a barrier to independence and well-being for many people in our community. It is our passion and mission to break that barrier for Clark County’s most vulnerable populations.

Our services, available for Clark County residents, include:

• Providing approved rides to seniors and those with disabilities

• Training our team of volunteer drivers

• Sharing our community access vehicles with other local nonprofits

Drive. Give. Help.

Please support our work by volunteering with us.

We are always looking for new volunteers that want to help others stay active in our community. To learn more about our work, sign up to volunteer, or make a charitable gift to support our mission, please visit: CommunityInMotion.org

Vu Tong, DMD

Erica Lenz, DDS